Native America Calling

If he lives up to his word, President-elect Donald Trump’s first day in the Oval Office will include a wave of executive actions with significant repercussions for tribes and individuals. In addition to major moves to expel immigrants, Trump promises to expand oil and other extractive development, cancel selected green energy spending, and eliminate federal diversity and equity measures. Trump also has an ambitious agenda for his first 100 days that herald sweeping changes in federal government. We’ll hear from political watchers about what could be in store. GUESTS Aaron Payment (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), tribal councilman and former chairperson for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Angela Parker (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Cree), assistant professor of history at the University of Denver Julia Wakeford (Muscogee and Yuchi), policy director for the National Indian Education Association Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana, assistant professor in the Department of Black and Latino Studies at Baruch College

Ten years since a world-changing blackout, an Anishinaabe community must embark on a mission of discovery if they’re going to survive. First Nations author Waubgeshig Rice revisits the survivors from his first novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, as they search south for sustainable future in his next novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves. We’ll hear from him how he works to bring hope into a post-apocalyptic story. Plus, we’ll be joined by one of Jim Thorpe’s granddaughters about his posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom. GUESTS Waubgeshig Rice (Wasauksing First Nation), author and journalist Anita Thorpe (Sac and Fox), Jim Thorpe’s granddaughter Break 1 Music: Native Blood (song) Testament (artist) Dark Roots of Earth (album) Break 2 Music: Nd Waza Bat (song) Keith Secola (artist) Circle (album)

Personal stories of pregnancy-related complications by Indigenous women are the centerpiece of a new informational campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC wants to raise awareness about the high rate of pre- and post-natal complications among Native women. The effort comes just as the March of Dimes launched its own initiative to improve poor maternal care outcomes. It includes a map of "maternity care deserts", many of which are in areas with high Native populations. We’ll talk about these and other efforts to improve care for pregnant Native women. GUESTS Dr. Jennifer Richards (Diné, Oglala Lakota, and Taos Pueblo), assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health Crystal Austin (Diné), director of external affairs for the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health Dr. Brian Thompson (citizen of the Oneida Nation), physician, obstetrician gynecologist, and member of the national board of March of Dimes Vanessa Sanchez (member of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes), mother from the HEAR HER video campaign Dr. Tina Pattara-Lau, maternal child health consultant at Indian Health Service headquarters

Guitarist Jesse Ed Davis (Kiowa) was an in-demand session player starting in the mid 60s, appearing on dozens of recordings with artists such as Taj Mahal, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, and Jackson Browne. He appears on solo albums by three of the four Beatles. Davis toured with The Faces, alongside Rod Stewart and Ron Wood. The Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Okla., is mounting an exhibition celebrating Davis’ life and work along with a tribute concert featuring Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, and Joy Harjo. We’ll hear from some of the people who knew and worked with the man Bonnie Raitt called “one of the most original, and soulful, and cool guitar players.” GUESTS Joy Harjo (Mvskoke), 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate, musician, playwright, and co-curator of the Jesse Ed Davis: Natural Anthem exhibition Chebon Tiger (Seminole and Mvskoke), musician Douglas Miller, author of Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis and co-curator of the Jesse Ed Davis: Natural Anthem exhibition Steven Jenkins, director of the Bob Dylan Center

Local southern California tribes will share management of a new 4,500-square-mile marine sanctuary. The designation from the Biden Administration cites the need to protect at-risk plants and animals, including whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. Establishing the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is the first such designation initiated by Native Americans. The idea started more than a decade ago by a member of the Northern Chumash Tribe. We’ll find out about how the sanctuary designation came about and what its managers hope it accomplishes. GUESTS Violet Sage Walker (Chumash), chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council Mia Lopez (Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation), founding director of Su’nan The SPACE and the cultural educator and cultural representative for the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation Michael Murray, acting regional director for region NOAA office of Marine National Sanctuaries Eugene Paul (tribal member), tribal chief of the Holy Cross Tribe

Tensions are high in New Caledonia as the remote Pacific island nation's Indigenous people are pushing for independence more than 170 years after the island was colonized by France. At least 13 people have died in protests triggered in May when the French government attempted to institute voting changes that would bolster the political power of New Caledonia's white settler communities at the expense of the Indigenous Kanak people. There's been little progress in the four decades after the Kanak tried to force better recognition from New Caledonia's political leaders aligned with Paris. It's a fight that has parallels to current and past struggles by Indigenous people in North America and elsewhere. GUESTS Joseph Xulue (Kanak and Samoan), executive member and former president of the New Zealand Pacific Lawyers’ Association Viro Xulue (Kanak), human rights and Indigenous law officer for the Drehu Customary Council of New Caledonia Dr. Christiane Leurquin (Kanak and French), senior lecturer in Global Studies and Social Anthropology at the University of Otago Dr. Tate LeFevre, cultural anthropologist and Kanaky/New Caledonia specialist

The stories she heard as a young girl from her own elder relatives inspired Holly Miowak Guise to research and document the experience of Alaska Native veterans of World War II. Her work is compiled in the book, Alaska Native Resilience: Voices from World War II. Her work encompasses the U.S. Government’s occupation of the Aleutian Islands, the trauma of religious boarding schools, and the historic Alaska Native fight to overcome institutionalized discrimination. We’ll talk with Guise about her work and the people she encountered. GUEST Dr. Holly Miowak Guise (Iñupiaq), assistant professor of History at the University of New Mexico and the author of Alaska Native Resilience: Voices from WWII

Native Americans have a long and rich tradition of producing artwork from behind bars. In the past, it was both a means of artistic expression and a way to document and communicate important events. Modern inmate artwork is also a vehicle for creative expression. It is also a valuable tool for personal growth and rehabilitation. We’ll hear about artwork’s healing and redemptive significance for incarcerated Native Americans. GUESTS Gabe Galanda (member of the Round Valley Indian Tribe), managing lawyer at Galanda Broadman Hop Norris, Bear Island Designs Genaro Rivas (Shoshone and Paiute), artist and tattoo artist at Feast or Famine Tattoo Jesus Ancheta (Cowichan First Nation), artist

Good pay and a strong job demand are among the factors that make the information technology industry an promising career choice. But a study by the Kapor Center shows Native Americans are significantly underrepresented in the IT workforce. The divide is even wider for Native women. Starting early — offering computer science instruction in high schools — is one way IT advocates say will move the statistics in the right direction. We’ll talk about that and why Native IT experts are needed. GUESTS Renita DiStefano (Seneca Nation), president and CEO of Second Derivative, LLC Gary Burnette (Cheroenhaka Nottoway), current board chair for AISES and vice president of advisory consulting at Kyndryl Richard Chance (Cherokee Nation), CEO and founder of First Americans Marketplace Exchange (FAME) Rebecca Fisher (Little Travers Bay Bands of Odawa Indians), account executive at Bulletproof (a GLI company)

President Donald Trump and Republicans pulled off a decisive victory. Are Native Americans poised to benefit from the change in power? We’ll get the early analysis about what the election results mean from a Native perspective and hear more about how Native candidates fared up and down the ballot. We'll also find out how tribes might shift strategies to accommodate the change in political winds. GUESTS OJ Semans Sr. (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), co-executive director of Four Directions Vote Allen Wright (Choctaw), president and founder of the Hustings Group Dr. Aaron Payment (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), tribal councilman and former chairperson for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Rhonda McBride, journalist and producer at our flagship station KNBA

It’s the final day to cast your vote, setting the political course for the foreseeable future. All the messages to encourage Native voting, the legal and technical work to assure access, and the onslaught of campaign ads come down to Election Day. We’ll get reports from around the country to talk about progress and remaining hurdles as Native voters choose their elected leaders. GUESTS Gabriella Cázares-Kelly (Tohono O’odham), Pima County Recorder April Ignacio (Tohono O’odham), co-founder of Indivisible Tohono Kevin Killer (Oglala Lakota), former president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and member of the South Dakota legislature Maria Haskins (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe), Wisconsin Native Vote manager and organizer

The Lumbee Nation counts 55,000 members, and although they are not federally recognized and have no tribal trust land, they have a strong cultural identity. The possibility of federal recognition is a factor in who members support in the presidential race. Across the state, the smaller, but federally recognized, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has political and economic muscle and opposes Lumbee recognition. We’ll explore the dynamics of navigating the Native vote in a critical swing state. GUESTS John Cummings (Lumbee Tribe), chairman of the Robeson County Board of Commissioners Christopher Reed (enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), vice chair of the North Carolina District 11 Democratic Party Jesalyn Kaziah (Lumbee), executive director of the Triangle Native American Society

Before their relocation along the Trail of Tears, southeast tribes found a need to curb cattle rustling and other violations of tribal laws. The Five Tribes organized tribal law enforcement units that came to be known as Lighthorse. They would respond to crimes such as stagecoach robberies, bootlegging, murder, and land disputes. For several years, the Lighthorse acted as judge, jury, even executioner. The Cherokee Lighthorsemen have their origins in Georgia, but were official formed in November 1844. The tribes continue to use the term “Lighthorse” to refer to their community policing units. We’ll hear about the history of “Lighthorse” and how they paved the way for tribal law enforcement. GUESTS Scott Ketchum (Choctaw Nation), Chickasaw Nation Endowed Chair in Native American Studies for East Central University Julie Reed (Cherokee Nation), associate professor in history at Penn State University Michelle Cooke (Chickasaw Nation), senior staff writer for the Chickasaw Press and author of Protecting Our People: Chickasaw Law Enforcement in Indian Territory

Halloween is the right time to dive into new spooky books by Native authors. Ramona Emerson’s new sequel, Exposure, checks back in with her character Rita Todacheene, a Navajo forensic photographer introduced in Emerson’s debut novel, Shutter, who continues to be haunted by crime victims. Dark and menacing supernatural entities follow Choctaws along the infamous Trail of Tears to Oklahoma in Devon Mihesuah’s The Bone Picker, a collection of fictional stories set in real-life histories. Nathan Adler co-edited a collection of scary stories along with Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm (Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Saugeen First Nation) called Zegaajimo: Indigenous Horror Fiction. Hunkpapa Lakota humorist and author Tiffany Midge’s newest collection of poetry, Horns, weaves horror through her creative use of language and satire. These authors join us for a conversation about horror in Native literature. GUESTS Nathan Niigan Noodin Adler (Anishinaabe and member of Lac de Mille Lacs First Nation), writer, author, and editor Devon Mihesuah (Choctaw), writer, historian, and the Cora Lee Beers Price Teaching Professor at the University of Kansas Ramona Emerson (Diné), writer and filmmaker Tiffany Midge (Hunkpapa Lakota), poet, humorist, and author

Four Native Americans just received the nation’s highest honor recognizing work and dedication to enriching the community. President Joe Biden awarded the 2022-2023 National Humanities Medals to Muscogee poet Joy Harjo, long-time Cherokee educator Dr. Robert Martin, Potawatomi author and scientist Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Tlingit cultural advocate Dr. Rosita Worl. The awards, in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Humanities, honors individuals and organizations that deepen “the nation's understanding of the humanities and broadened our citizens' engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects.” Native America Calling was the first Native organization to receive a National Humanities Medal in 2021. GUESTS Dr. Rosita Worl (Tlingit), anthropologist, cultural leader, president of the Sealaska Heritage Institute, and a 2023 National Humanities Medalist Joy Harjo (Muscogee), poet and 2022 National Humanities Medalist Dr. Robert Martin (Cherokee), president of the Institute of American Indian Arts and a 2022 National Humanities Medalist Shelly C. Lowe (Diné), chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities

Global business connections are a way to build economic development. But it’s also a way to promote cross-cultural relationships and understanding across borders. The World Indigenous Business Forum aims to strengthen those bonds. The annual forum returns to the U.S. for the first time in nine years with at least 1,000 Indigenous business leaders meeting in Albuquerque to talk about success stories and barriers when it comes to trade across global boundaries. We’ll hear about what they hope to accomplish. GUESTS Andrew Carrier (Red River Métis), vice president of the Manitoba Métis Federation and co-founder of the World Indigenous Business Forum Wayne Garnons-Williams (Plains Cree from Treaty 6, Moosomin First Nation). chair of International Inter-tribal Trade and Investment Organization Ron Solimon (Laguna Pueblo), vice chair of Laguna Development Corporation

Indian boarding schools notoriously worked to stamp out Native languages, religions, and cultures. And part of that was an effort to cut ties between Native children and their traditional means of sustenance. In light of President Joe Biden’s apology, we’ll review another legacy of the shameful federal policy. And Alana Yazzie, who goes by The Fancy Navajo, just launched a new cookbook, which blends old and new Native food traditions. It's all today in our latest edition of our regular feature The Menu with host Andi Murphy. GUESTS Arlen Washines (Yakama), member of the Washington State Truth and Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee Alana Yazzie (Totsohni/Ta'neeszahnii), author of The Modern Navajo Kitchen: Homestyle Recipes that Celebrate the Flavors and Traditions of the Diné Jim LaBelle (Iñupiaq), member of National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition board of directors

President Joe Biden is taking the historic step to formally apologize for the federal government’s role in the failed Indian Board School era. The first-of-its-kind acknowledgement comes after Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland released the final report from a three-year investigation that included formal listening sessions from boarding school survivors and their relatives. The report documented at least 18,000 Native children who were sent to distant live-in schools where they were forced to abandon their languages and cultures. They were subjected to extensive physical and sexual abuse. Nearly 1,000 children died while attending the institutions far from their families. We’ll hear from Sec. Haaland and others who have been working on building the infrastructure of healing from the Boarding School Era.

Every year, thousands of Native Americans are going without the health care they’re entitled to or are risking costly medical bills for treatment that should be covered. A new report by KFF Health News focuses on the Purchased/Referred Care program in which patients seek outside treatment that IHS doesn’t offer. The report says the PRC program denied more than $550 million in payment requests from outside medical facilities in 2022, putting patients on the hook financially. Some tribes with resources are able to establish tribally-run care. Others are working on tribal health insurance programs. We’ll get a look at the problem facing those relying on IHS, and what can be done to solve it.

Nevada is the first state to extend electronic ballots to tribal members. It allows them to register and vote from their own homes, giving rural Native voters an alternative to traveling miles to their nearest polling or ballot drop-off site. It’s an idea that other states remain wary of. In Alaska, efforts to improve voting among Native voters remain elusive. Opposition from Republican state lawmakers killed a bill eliminating witness signatures on absentee ballots. On a conservative talk show, the Alaska House Speaker admitted she opposed it because it would have favored U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat and the only Alaska Native in Congress. Rep. Peltola calls it "a concerted effort to silence" Native votes. We'll discuss progress and continuing hurdles for Native voters. GUESTS Mathilda Guerrero Miller (Kanaka Maoli), government relations director for Native Voters Alliance Nevada Elveda Martinez (Walker River Paiute Tribe), voter rights activist Michelle Sparck (Qissunamiut Tribe of Chevak), director of Get Out the Native Vote Gabriel Di Chiara, Chief Deputy Secretary of State for Nevada